Missiologist and church historian Andrew Walls begins his classic essay, “The Gospel as Prisoner and Liberator of Culture,” with a fascinating thought experiment. An extraterrestrial who is a “Professor of Comparative Inter-Planetary Religion” has come to earth to study the Christian religion. The alien visits Christian gatherings across various times and places. He finds thatContinue reading “The Gospel as Prisoner and Liberator of Culture”
Tag Archives: culture
Roman Catholic Contextualization
It has been said that up until recently western missions has been a process of cultural domination – i.e. westernization. Although there is a ring of truth to this, we know that the Vatican sent out instructions to its missionaries, through the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of Faith, in 1659 instructing it missionaries notContinue reading “Roman Catholic Contextualization”
Niebuhr, Christ, and Culture (Pt. 2)
Last time I briefly surveyed a few of Neibuhr’s “Christ and Culture Types.” I explained that the understanding of Christ and culture that I am most drawn to (at this point in my life) is the understanding of Christ as the transformer of culture. However all of this is tempered by an understanding of theContinue reading “Niebuhr, Christ, and Culture (Pt. 2)”
Why Cities (and Colleges) Matter
College Campuses are microcosms of the city. Let me explain…. A few weeks ago I read through Stephen Um and Justin Buzzard’s Why Cities Matter, since then I have read it one more time. I can’t recommend it highly enough. As I was reading it, similarities between a city and a college campus kept poppingContinue reading “Why Cities (and Colleges) Matter”
Ezekiel: Your Idols are Blind! (Pt.1)
Mortal, you are living in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears to hear but do not hear for they are a rebellious house. – Ezekiel 12:2-3a We are used to this type of language in scripture, at least some of us, we have heard thisContinue reading “Ezekiel: Your Idols are Blind! (Pt.1)”
Some Thoughts on Ephesians Two and the Christian Community
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying outContinue reading “Some Thoughts on Ephesians Two and the Christian Community”
Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 2)
So last time I did what any book review is supposed to do, I summarized the contents of the book. This time I want to talk about the book’s strengths and weaknesses. Positives A good understanding of Culture and how culture works. Its evident that he draws quite a bit of his understanding of cultureContinue reading “Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 2)”
Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 1)
A few months ago I had lunch with the author of Creating a Missional Culture, we ended up going to eat at a Thai place near my church. Being from East Hollywood, JR Woodward was used to some really good authentic Thai food, so walking into the restaurant we were having lunch at I couldContinue reading “Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 1)”
Christ, Culture, and College Students – A Reformed Perspective (Pt. 5)
Last time we looked at cultural transformation in light of the biblical meta-narrative. Today we wrap things up by looking at what vocation looks like in light of all we have said. _________________________________ God’s Sovereignty and Vocation Working with college students who desire to make an impact on culture, we will certainly minister to studentsContinue reading “Christ, Culture, and College Students – A Reformed Perspective (Pt. 5)”
Christ, Culture, and College Students – A Reformed Perspective (Pt. 3)
After a brief “interruption” with a mini-series on preaching out of Acts 2:42-47 we finally turn back to looking at Christ, Culture, and College students. In the last post we looked at what culture is and we talked about the cultural mandate. Today we turn to our second subject: the transformation of culture. _________________________________ TransformingContinue reading “Christ, Culture, and College Students – A Reformed Perspective (Pt. 3)”
